How To Wear A Hat

How To Pull Off A Hat Without Looking Like A Parody

Although I usually discuss hair trends and their issues, today I'm going to focus on something a bit different: accessories. Accessories create an interesting component that define and project your style. During the past several seasons we've seen an old element, once considered a necessity, be revived and reinvigorated. This former necessity, now an accessory, is the men's hat.

Designers have redone and/or appropriated many classics, and now hats are the hot new accessory for men. This has been especially the case for many young urban men (do we dare say "hipster"?). We're not referring to the baseball cap, a phenomenon of its own, but real hats chosen for their style.

So let's look at some of these styles options and what may suit you.

In order to do this we need a few general guidelines:

A hat should complement you and your outfit.

A hat must fit your head, being neither too large or small. This is sometimes difficult because in many cases hats come in sizes small, medium and large instead of varying head sizes. Check out a hat store and learn your size; you might even snatch a real hat find.

The hat is part of your style statement and therefore must reflect your personality. A great hat that isn't you should be left at the sales counter. And similarly, a great hat out of step with your outfit, in both style and fabrication, is a style misstep.

Finally, it's usually best to keep the color and tone of the hat consistent with your clothing. Just as a wrong color sock, tie, or shoe can distract, so it is with the hat.

Remember, these are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and hats, the newest accessory, should always be fun.

Fedora

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The fedora is one of the most versatile of hats. In its current life it has numerous variations, yet still defines a certain easy cool! Extremely popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s — think Mad Men — the fedora is experiencing a comeback.

This narrow brimmed, pinched crown hat can go everywhere. In felts, it's a great look for suits or sports coats. In more casual fabrics, it can take on the rest of your life, while in straw it's a beach hat that your girlfriend is always stealing.

The fedora looks good on almost everyone. Worn rakishly tilted, front brim turned down over an eye it adds a lot of panache! This style is a snap to take off and on giving you an ease of wearability. Make sure it matches the tone of your outfit and you cannot miss.

Porkpie

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A close cousin of the fedora is the porkpie, defined by its narrow, upturned brim and flat crown. Its roundness make a perfect fit on curly-wavy hair, no matter the length. Better still, it is easily takes to personalization — just use a different band, feather or other accent. This hat loves to show your fun side!

Wear this hat squarely on the head and slightly back off the face. This opens up your face allowing the front hair to peak out and move freely i.e. great for curly-wavy hair.

Again, most guys can wear this hat, especially in casual fabrics. It makes for a great beach hat, and it's so easygoing you can't help but be playful yourself. One caveat: if you have a long face, this may not be a good choice; instead, take another look at the fedora.

The Panama

Joseph W. Iannitti

If you're looking for a summer hat, perhaps the panama fits the bill. This hat, always associated with the tropics, is the king of the woven straw hats. In a pristine tight weave ,it is an elegant complement to tailored suits and jackets. Normally worn with a bit of a tilt, it's best paired with well-defined, tailored hair.

In less rigorous weaves it becomes a perfect accompaniment to linen shirts, slacks, or dressy summer casual wear. It’s synonymous with the image of a well turned out gentleman.

As you can envision, this hat requires appropriate clothing and venue to look well — it's more croquet than bowling. It also takes a bit of swagger. So if your life runs on the dressy side and you have the confidence, why not give it a try.

The Knit Hat

Joseph W. Iannitti

Another easy style is the knit hat.

Whether it’s the slouch style, as shown, or a beanie or even a Sherpa derivative, the knit hat is the embodiment of casual style. The very trendy slouch works for dreads, massive curls, or clean and neat hair styles. This relaxed hat is perfect for a relaxed style guy.

Thank surfers and boarders for starting the knit trend, but even if you do not partake of these activities this hat can complement your style. Wear it after the gym, or for the juice bar after a run, or as your replacement for your baseball cap — anywhere you want quick, casual style or need to cover up your unkempt hair.

It’s also easy to wear: just pull on, cuff and let the slouch take effect. It's also appropriate for most guys. We all can pretty much look right in it; just make sure to keep your attitude light and it will almost always work.

The Bucket Hat

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The bucket hat is the smart reinvention of the rain hat. Gone are the golashes and old trappings, replaced by a new, practical and chic hat.

The shape is a very genial and wearable. It's worn squarely on the head, brim down. To create a focus on the eyes, the front brim can be flipped up, and if you have a square face shape this will be your best bet. With a world of modern fabrics, don't limit yourself to dreary grey colors. An important point is that it plays best with a more casual style, and unless it's pouring, it should be worn appropriately.

The Broad-Brimmed Hat

Joseph W. Iannitti

Our final hat to look at is a very fashion forward choice. This broad-brimmed, flat-crowned look, reminiscent of religious sects (think of Harrison Ford in Witness) is now associated with the young urban segment, but it's a versatile addition to any man's wardrobe.